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Bingo players hit out at duty rise
HUNDREDS of bingo fans have written to their MP calling for a fairer deal for players following a rise in duty.
The show of public support came after Chancellor Alistair Darling announced in last month's budget that the duty on bingo was to rise from 15 to 22 per cent.
Bosses at Hartlepool's Mecca Bingo have hit out at the rise and urged customers and employees to write a letter to Hartlepool MP Iain Wright asking for his support.
Mecca Bingo has been inundated with letters from staff and customers asking for the decision to be overturned, with 440 being handed in so far.
The increased rate of duty paid by licensed bingo clubs is in contrast to other forms of gambling including sports betting, casino and online poker and football pools, which remains at 15 per cent.
Bingo chiefs, who believe they are being unfairly targeted, say their businesses has already been affected by the smoking ban legislation and the latest rise on duty will hit them further.
The smoking legislation made it illegal for people to smoke inside enclosed public spaces when it was introduced in July 2007.
Bosses say there are no plans to pass the rise onto customers, many of whom are pensioners.
Gavin Lee, manager of Mecca Bingo, in The Lanyard, said: "Our customers just can't understand why the Government is targeting bingo players.
"To our customers, this is about so much more than just bingo.
"For some, this is the only opportunity they have to socialise with other people and it would be criminal if clubs are forced to close because the Government is discriminating against one of the nation's favourite past times.
"That's why we are urging the Government to keep tax at 15 per cent and not increase it to 22 per cent."
The aim of the nationwide protest is to encourage local MPs to support the proposals to review the new legislation.
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Weather for Hartlepool
Thursday 09 February 2012
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